Training session on CPR held at six places across Chennai

ACERT and Billroth Hospitals host CPR training sessions across Chennai to educate public on life-saving techniques.

The Associates for Cardiology Education and Research in Tamil Nadu (ACERT) and Billroth Hospitals on Saturday organised Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training sessions for the public at six places across the city.

At Shenoy Nagar skating park, C.R. Geethanjali, a physiotherapist, demonstrated CPR on a mannequin and explained the do’s and don’ts to a group of walkers and early visitors. Participants also took turns practising CPR on mannequins and clarifying their doubts.

Shanmugasundaram, cardiologist, Billroth Hospitals and a trustee, ACERT, stressed the importance of learning to perform CPR. Cardiac massage and respiration are the main components of CPR. “Globally, nearly 50 out of 1,00,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest in a year. Heart attacks have a mortality of 10%, and half of them die before reaching a hospital,” he said.

It is here that the community can play a vital role. “If a person collapses and has no breathing, pulse and speech, cardiac massage can be started. There should be 30 compressions and two rescue breaths done in a cycle. If a person is alone and has no help, he/she can give chest compressions alone. They should continue until the person wakes up or an ambulance arrives,” Dr. Shanmugasundaram said.

He added that the training sessions were held simultaneously at six places with the help of cardiologists. “We obtained permission from the Greater Chennai Corporation to conduct such training sessions once a month. This will be an ongoing initiative,” he added.